Bookholder

ABSTRACT

A length of wire is bent so that it defines a rectangle with two extending end portions. The end portions extend in opposite directions through a length of plastic tubing which frictionally engages the portions. At the distal ends of the end portions are page gripping devices which in one embodiment are &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;U&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; shaped clips, and in the other one are movable jaw clips spring loaded toward a gripping position.

United States Patent Lewis [54] BOOKHOLDER [72] Inventor: Isabelle J. Lewis, Naperville Road, Bartlett,1ll. 60103 [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 75,089

[52] US. Cl ..248/451 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47b 97/04 [58] Field of Search ..248/102, 107, 296, 298, 448, 248/451; 281/42; 287/58 R, 104

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 542,293 7/1895 Taylor ..248/448 803,878 11/1905 Chapin 2,374,649 5/1945 Calkins..... 2,893,766 7/1959 Meyer ..287/58 R July4,1972

3,061,969 11/1962 Funday ..243/451 x FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 72,669 9/1931 Sweden ..281/42 6,5 37 3/1895 Great Britain ...281/42 109,796 4/1939 Australia ..2 7158 R Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz At10rneyDarbo, Robertson & Vandenburgh [57] ABSTRACT A length of wire is bent so that it defines a rectangle with two extending end portions. The end portions extend in opposite directions through a length of plastic tubing which frictionally engages the portions. At the distal ends of the end portions are page gripping devices which in one embodiment are U shaped clips, and in the other one are movable jaw clips spring loaded toward a gripping position.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL 4 1972 41/ III III III/m BOOKHOLDER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a simplified bookholder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention employed in holding a book;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end elevational view, partially in section, of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of an alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The following disclosure is offered for public dissemination in return for the grant of a patent. Although it is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements. The claims at the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose, as it is these that meet the requirement of pointing out the parts, improvements, or combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

The embodiment of FIGS. l-3 is formed of a length of wire and a plastic tube 10. The wire defines a loop having sides 11 and 12, an end 13 connecting sides 11 and 12, and two straight portions 14 and 15. Extensions of the straight portions 14 and 15 are bent back to define U" shaped clips 16 and 17. The straight portions 14 and 15 extend through the central opening 18 in tube 10. This opening is of a size approximately equal to the cross-sectional diameter of wires 14 and 15 so that there is a frictional engagement between the tube and the wire.

FIGS. l-3 illustrate the use of a bookholder on a book, generally 20. The pages of the book have been spread out with the book thus being opened at the point at which it is desired to read the book. The clips 16 and 17 engage the pages at the spread sides of the book. This engagement plus the comparative rigidity of the wire holds the book in the spread position. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the loop in the wire may serve as a stand to position the book at an angle suitable for reading when the book is on a supporting surface, e.g. table, 21. All of the wire portions ll-l7 lie substantially in a common plane. The grip of the clips 16 and 17 on the book maintain this plane at an angle to the spline of the book so that it will stay upright in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2.

While this form of bookholder is particularly adapted for use with the paperback" type of books, it is not necessarily limited to that application. One advantage of the construction is that it provides a simple adjustment for books of different sizes, i.e. pages of different widths. Thus, for example, if the tops (as viewed in FIG. 3) of sides 11 and 12 are pushed toward each other, the clips 16 and 17 will be moved away from each other by corresponding amounts. Conversely, clips 16 and 17 can be moved toward each other, with the tops of sides 11 and 12 moving further apart. At any such selected position, the clips 16 and 17 are maintained the established distance apart by reason of the frictional engagement of the tube 10 with the portions 14 and 15. Some users of the bookholder will prefer to employ a similar movement when applying or disengaging the bookholder from a book. Another advantage of embodiments of the invention is that they are compact and light in weight; thus, they can be readily carried in pocket or purse.

While a steel wire can be employed for the portions 1 l-l7, a plastic material having similar properties could be substituted. It is not even necessary to use a spring steel wire, since embodiments can be made of a relatively soft iron wire. Preferably, the tubing 10 is of a comparatively flexible (not rigid) plastic. This could be a vinyl, polypropylene or the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modification. To the extent that the parts correspond, corresponding numbers with a prime after them have been employed. Here, at the ends of the straight portions 14 and 15' are page clips, generally 23 and 24. The wire of which straight portion 14 is made defines a loop 25 and then a jaw half 26. A jaw half 27 has bifurcated levers 28. A pin 29 extends through loop 25 and connects the bifurcated levers 28 which are on opposite sides of the loop, thus forming a pivotal mount for the jaw half 27. A spring 30 urges jaw half 27 towards jaw half 26. The construction of clip 24 corresponds to that just described with respect to clip 23.

lclaim:

1. In a bookholder for holding the pages of the book in a spread condition, the improvement comprising:

two straight portions of rod of relatively uniform cross-sectional dimension, said portions being positioned parallel to each other with a part of each side-by-side with a corresponding part of the other, said portions each having a distal end with the distal ends being on opposite ends of said side-by-side parts;

an elongated tube having a central opening approximately equal in cross-section to the sum of said cross-sectional dimensions, said tube encircling said side-by-side parts so that the tube frictionally engages said parts while permitting, as a result of an application of force, the rods to be moved longitudinally within the opening; and

means at the distal ends of the portions for engaging pages of the book;

said portions comprising a continuous length of rod, said rod extending from one of said distal ends through the tube from one end thereof to the other, then in a loop back to said one end and through the tube to said other end, and then to the other distal end.

2. In a bookholder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said portions are metal and said tube is plastic.

3. In a bookholder as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means comprises an extension of the rod which extension is in the form ofa U.

4. In a bookholder as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means each comprises a pair of jaws, one of which is pivotable with respect to the other and resiliently urged toward the other. 

1. In a bookholder for holding the pages of the book in a spread condition, the improvement comprising: two straight portions of rod of relatively uniform crosssectional dimension, said portions being positioned parallel to each other with a part of each side-by-side with a corresponding part of the other, said portions each having a distal end with the distal ends being on opposite ends of said side-by-side parts; an elongated tube having a central opening approximately equal in cross-section to the sum of said cross-sectional dimensions, said tube encircling said side-by-side parts so that the tube frictionally engages said parts while permitting, as a result of an application of force, the rods to be moved longitudinally within the opening; and means at the distal ends of the portions for engaging pages of the book; said portions comprising a continuous length of rod, said rod extending from one of said distal ends through the tube from one end thereof to the other, then in a loop back to said one end and through the tube to said other end, and then to the other distal end.
 2. In a bookholder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said portions are metal and said tube is plastic.
 3. In a bookholder as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means comprises an extension of the rod which extension is in the form of a ''''U.''''
 4. In a bookholder as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means each comprises a pair of jaws, one of which is pivotable with respect to the other and resiliently urged toward the other. 